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Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL): How to apply

To encourage and support shared parental responsibility, working fathers are entitled to 1 week of Government-paid Paternity Leave (GPPL). This scheme supports fathers in caring for and bonding with their newborn child.

Benefits at a glance

As a working father, you are entitled to 1 week of GPPL.

The government will pay you for your GPPL, with wage reimbursements capped at $2,500 (including CPF contributions).

You can consume your GPPL in a continuous block of 1 week within 16 weeks from the birth of your child, or use it flexibly within 12 months from the birth of the child, subject to mutual agreement between you and your employer.

You cannot use your paternity leave to offset the notice period when your leave your job.

Note

Working fathers are entitled to 1 week of GPPL in addition to 1 week of Shared Parental Leave (SPL).

Are you eligible?

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for GPPL:

Your child is born or has an estimated delivery date (EDD) on or after 1 May 2013;

Your child is a Singapore Citizen;

You are/were lawfully married to the child's mother at some point between conception and birth; and

If you are an employee: You must have served your employer for at least 3 months immediately before your child's birth; orIf you are self-employed: You must be engaged in your business, trade or profession for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately before the child's birth.

Adoptive fathers who meet the following requirements are also eligible for GPPL:

If your adoptive child is not a Singapore Citizen, you or your spouse who is adopting with you must be a Singapore Citizen;

Your child must be adopted within 1 year from the point of your formal intent to adopt;

Tips

Citizenship of child at point of birth

Definition of "Formal Intent to Adopt"

The child is a Singapore Citizen

From the date an application to adopt is made to the Court.

The child is not a Singapore Citizen

From the date the Dependant's Pass (DP) is issued in respect of the child (including the document indicating approval).

Your child must be a Singapore Citizen or become a Singapore Citizen within 6 months after the Adoption Order is granted;

If you are an employee: You must have served your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately preceding the point of your formal intent to adopt; orIf you are self-employed: You have been engaged in your current business, trade or profession for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately preceding the point of your formal intent to adopt; and

You must be an applicant to the adoption.

How to apply: If you are an employee

Give your employer early notice of your leave arrangement. This allows your employer time to verify your eligibility and make alternative work arrangements.

Submit declaration form (Form GPPL1) to your employer with all necessary supporting documents attached. Your employer may use its own declaration form/system for you to declare your eligibility.

How to claim: If you are self-employed

The payment is capped at $2,500 for the 1 week of GPPL and is calculated based on your Notice of Assessment from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

Record and keep a personal log of your GPPL dates.

Submit your claim online to the CPF Board within 3 months from the last day of your paternity leave.

Tips

If you do not have a standing payment instruction with the CPF Board, please submit a Direct Credit Authorization (DCA) form with the bank's endorsement at least 1 week before making an online claim. This will enable CPF Board to upload your bank details onto your online application form.

How to claim: If you are the employer

Obtain the declaration form (Form GPPL1) and supporting documents from your employee at the point of his application of GPPL. You may also use your own form or system to capture the employee's declaration. Click here for the information you would need to capture in the declaration.

Submit your employee's claim online to the CPF Board within 3 months from the last day of your employee's GPPL.

Tips

Submit a Direct Credit Authorization (DCA) form with the bank's endorsement to the CPF Board at least 1 week before you submit the GPPL claim. This enables the CPF Board to upload your bank details onto your online application form.